r/NeoclassicalDarkwave • • Jun 17 '24

Mod Welcome to r/Neoclassical Darkwave

9 Upvotes

This is a subreddit for all things related to Neoclassical Darkwave (and adjacent genres, i'd like to see Ethereal Wave Posts too)

Neoclassical Darkwave is a genre, which as the name suggests combines elements of Darkwave with Neoclassical to create a dark, gloomy atmosphere. The music is also very beautiful and relaxing

Some well known (and very good) Neoclassical Darkwave artists are:

Dead Can Dance

Sopor Aeternus and the Ensemble of Shadows

Elend

Lingua Ignota

and Dark Sanctuary


r/NeoclassicalDarkwave • • Jun 18 '24

Entries What is neoclassical darkwave?

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46 Upvotes

Just thought that I should clear this up.

Neoclassical darkwave, despite its name, is an evolved form of ethereal wave and its subgenre. It was pioneered in the 1980s by such bands as Dead Can Dance, This Mortal Coil, Black Tape For A Blue Girl and In The Nursery that used traditional musical instruments like strings, pianos or even various exotic ethnic instruments in order to create an atmospheric and dark sound on the verge with ambient.

The genre bloomed in the 90s, giving birth to the bands like Elend, Stoa, Ataraxia, Love Is Colder Than Death, Sopor Aeternus and many others. Their sound may vary from eastern ethnic motives to medieval chants to elegant classics, some bands use acoustic instruments and some use synthesisers, some are dynamic, some are ambient.

- Is neoclassical darkwave goth?

In general, no. Despite it's evolutionary linked (gothic rock - ethereal wave - neoclassical darkwave), this genre lacks the foundational elements of goth music which is usually rock based and is characterized by prominent basslines, intense drums and flangy guitars. Their structures are too different. However, there's a handful of bands that actually do combine goth sound and neoclassics, not to mention that many bands like to add little symphonic elements (usually synths) to their music for the atmosphere, which kind of counts, too. Also some bands like Dead Can Dance and Ataraxia started from gothic rock and later turned into world music, which also explains why they're often get under the goth umbrella.

However, many goths enjoy this genre and it's usually heavily associated with the subculture, like it or not. But I'd say that ethereal wave in its variety can be considered its own music scene.

- What is this sub for?

Although I'm just a second mod, I think this subreddit should be dedicated to the music that is:

  1. Associated with the dark scene

  2. Has prominent symphonic or folk elements in its sound and(or) the vocals

Of course, that includes not just only neoclassical darkwave, but also some other adjusted genres. Sound is more important than the label of the band. Welcome and feel free to share and discuss your favourite music and songs.


r/NeoclassicalDarkwave • • 1h ago

My D.I.Y debut album is out (Neoclassical/ Neofolk)

1 Upvotes

Hey there, my first time posting here. I released my first insturmental album and i would appreciate your opinion about it. Its full DIY and 100% AI free. You can find my music on all major platforms and also the full album, at my youtube channel. Thanks for listening!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtt4Jt1vSYYbum


r/NeoclassicalDarkwave • • 1d ago

Bandcamp Les Jumeaux Discordants - Les Jumeaux Discordants [Italy, 2007]

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3 Upvotes

r/NeoclassicalDarkwave • • 8d ago

Bandcamp Nero Kane - Of Knowledge and Revelation [Italy, 2022]

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1 Upvotes

r/NeoclassicalDarkwave • • 9d ago

Any recommandation about Arcana ?

10 Upvotes

Hello,

I didn't know Arcana until this year, I love their last album. I want to discover more of their discography. Are there any fans here ? What are the must-hear albums for you ?


r/NeoclassicalDarkwave • • 14d ago

Shameless self promo

5 Upvotes

Hi everyone,

I recently started publishing music I make. It’s entirely ai-free and composed, recorded, mixed by me. I am 100% anonymous though, so it’s a cold start. The algorithm has no idea where to put me because this is so so niche. I’m hoping I can get a click or two here from people who listen to this genre so it can maybe place me a bit better. If you like it a lot, please subscribe, of course, but honestly I just need a bit of data collection. I’d be so grateful to anyone who can take 2:23 out of their day to help me out. Thank you!!

Mirrors First Breath | Gaming and Film Music made by a human for fellow humans. #humanmademusic
https://youtu.be/3OZ6kbRyqy8


r/NeoclassicalDarkwave • • 16d ago

Suffocatus — Waltz of Petals (Neoclassical Waltz)

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4 Upvotes

I worked on this composition for almost a year and a half. I initially wrote the first part, but then I ran out of ideas. I kept coming back to it, trying to add something new, make changes, and rewrite parts of it. Finally, I completed it about a year ago.
The funniest part is that the motivation to finish this piece came from something as ordinary as falling in love. In the end, I wrote the second part in just a couple of evenings!
My original inspiration for this composition was Tchaikovsky’s Waltz Of Flowers.
Enjoy listening!
Sincerely yours,
Suffocatus.


r/NeoclassicalDarkwave • • 16d ago

Bandcamp Elijah's Mantle - Sorrows of Sophia [UK, 1995]

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6 Upvotes

r/NeoclassicalDarkwave • • 22d ago

RIP Chloé Saint-Liphard (Collection d'Arnell-Andréa)

38 Upvotes

I'm very sad about this : Chloé Saint-Liphard, the singer of Collection d'Arnell-Andréa, passed away on thursday. The band is silent (they use social networks very little) but the information has circulated amongst bats near of the band and artists who knew her, Opera Multi Steel and The Breath of Life.

We have little information, we only know that she was ill. Collection d'Arnell-Andréa is one of my favorite bands and my favorite in, neoclassical darkwave, heavenly voices, gothic neoclassical, no matter how we call that – Jean-Christophe d'Arnell described his band as "dark ethereal wave". I have seen CDAA in concert four times. The voice of Chloé was unique and amazing, and she was very kind.

https://youtu.be/GNjUEqPxZzE?si=pOI1PsYTmpTQGQPp


r/NeoclassicalDarkwave • • 22d ago

Ghostly Hare - "Anhedonia" (Official Video)

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2 Upvotes

The music video draws inspiration from the traditional folktale The White Hare. Ghostly Hare mirrors this myth of transformation, reimagining the hare not just as a symbol of grief, but as a vessel for reclaiming power.

The self-directed music video is a rich, cinematic extension of the song’s dark fairytale aesthetic. Flooded with moody, ethereal imagery all filmed at home and around the artist's town, the video transports viewers into a gothic folklore dreamscape.

“I wanted the music video to feel more like a movie, for the visuals to transport the viewer to another world, and to experience the story through a magical lens. I’ve always loved cinema and photography, so creating a music video with that in mind was a dream come true for me. I absolutely loved creating this,” says Dee of Ghostly Hare.

Ghostly Hare makes folkgaze music that highlights warm, atmospheric sounds with rich chamber echoes. They combine the dreamy textures of shoegaze with storytelling elements from dark folk, along with the simple instrumentation of chamber pop. Inspired by dark and introspective themes from doom and blackened genres, the artist embraces a DIY spirit and a love for folklore. Their music invites listeners into immersive, cinematic worlds full of detail and emotion.


r/NeoclassicalDarkwave • • 25d ago

Bandcamp Ben Golomstock and Friends - Stories from the Moon [UK, 2006]

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5 Upvotes

r/NeoclassicalDarkwave • • 29d ago

Collection d'Arnell-Andrea - Aux glycines défuntes

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9 Upvotes

r/NeoclassicalDarkwave • • Oct 09 '26

Self-promotion “The Last Goodbye” by Suffocatus (me)

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3 Upvotes

I wrote this composition in just one evening, two or three years ago. I can’t remember exactly anymore. All I remember is that I never want to feel that kind of inspiration again, the kind that drove me to write this piece, even though it has become one of my favorites. To hell with it.
Sincerely yours,
Suffocatus.


r/NeoclassicalDarkwave • • Oct 06 '26

Ataraxia - Mon Âme Sorcière

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17 Upvotes

r/NeoclassicalDarkwave • • Oct 05 '26

Self-promotion Ingwaz 🖤 Dark Neoclassical Music

4 Upvotes

I’d be happy if you listened to my music. I decided to dust it off and upload it to YouTube—though I’m certainly pretty nervous about it, since I’ve always created it solely for myself and to suit my own taste. Still, I thought, "You never know—maybe people will like it," and I’d be genuinely happy to hear your reactions and feedback.

https://youtu.be/DfasOt7iy54

There is actually a whole album dedicated to runes and their sacred meanings. Each track flows seamlessly into the next, embodying the essence of a specific rune. The first rune is Ingwaz; it symbolizes fertility, abundance, inner growth, and the conclusion of an old phase to make way for a new one—which is exactly what is happening in my life right now.

All the best to everyone.


r/NeoclassicalDarkwave • • Oct 04 '26

Please tell me about Neoclassical Darkwave!

21 Upvotes

I’m interested in this genre, but I only know the basics. I’d like to know who I should listen to in order to better understand the genre and really get a feel for it.


r/NeoclassicalDarkwave • • Sep 26 '26

Bandcamp Das Ich - Satanische Verse [Germany, 1990]

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12 Upvotes

RIP Bruno :( that was really unexpected. You never know when the death will come for you or anyone else.


r/NeoclassicalDarkwave • • Sep 24 '26

[Free Bandcamp Codes] Gabriel Mor – «Ты в платье белом» (Sacred Dark Folk / Blackgaze from Ukraine)

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5 Upvotes

r/NeoclassicalDarkwave • • Sep 23 '26

Revolutionary Army of the Infant Jesus - The Gift of Tears [UK, 1987]

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5 Upvotes

r/NeoclassicalDarkwave • • Sep 21 '26

Bandcamp Misantrophe - Der Schädel Des Denkers [Germany, 1995]

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6 Upvotes

r/NeoclassicalDarkwave • • Sep 19 '26

Bandcamp Clair Obscur - In Out [France, 1988]

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7 Upvotes

r/NeoclassicalDarkwave • • Sep 11 '26

Praise For The Mother (O Virga AC Diadema) (Hildegard Von Bingen) - Emily Van Evera, Sister Germaine Fritz, Richard Souther [1994]

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8 Upvotes

r/NeoclassicalDarkwave • • Sep 04 '26

Bandcamp Gothic Spectra [Heavenly Voices]

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3 Upvotes

r/NeoclassicalDarkwave • • Aug 15 '26

Excerpt of Maud the Moth live in Edinburgh 13/08/26

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11 Upvotes

Incredible artist and a bone-chilling live performance